UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026 for IAS, IPS & IFoS

The UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026 plays a decisive role in the final selection of candidates aspiring for elite civil services such as IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service (IFoS). While intellectual ability is assessed through written examinations and interviews, physical fitness ensures that officers can efficiently perform administrative, law-and-order, and field-based responsibilities.

The detailed physical and medical standards are mentioned in the official notification and are verified during the medical examination after the interview stage. Meeting these standards is mandatory for final service allocation.

UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026

The UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026 ensures that candidates selected for various civil services are medically and physically fit to perform their official duties. While services like IAS require only a general medical examination, IPS and IFoS have strict standards related to height, chest measurement, vision, and overall fitness. These physical requirements are verified through a detailed medical test conducted after the interview stage.

UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview

The UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview table is given below for understanding the physical requirements.

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UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria for IAS Officer

The UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria for IAS Officers is comparatively flexible because IAS officers primarily perform administrative, policy-making, and supervisory roles rather than intensive field operations. UPSC focuses on the candidate’s overall physical and mental fitness to ensure efficient discharge of official duties.

• Height & Weight: No specific minimum or maximum height and weight prescribed; weight should be proportionate to height.
• Chest Measurement: No chest girth or expansion requirement.
• Vision Standards: Normal vision is expected; candidates must meet general medical vision norms.
• Medical Fitness: Candidates must be free from serious medical conditions that could hinder administrative work.
• Hearing Ability: Normal hearing capacity is required.
• Disability Provision: Candidates with benchmark disabilities are eligible as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, subject to service suitability.
• Medical Examination: A general medical test is conducted after the interview to assess overall health, including blood pressure, heart condition, and general physical fitness.

UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria for IPS Officer

The UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria for IPS Officers is the most stringent among all civil services due to the demanding nature of police duties involving law enforcement, field operations, and public order management. Candidates must meet prescribed standards of height, chest, vision, and overall physical fitness to ensure operational efficiency.

1. Height Requirements

Male Candidates: Minimum 165 cm

(Relaxation up to 160 cm for SC/ST/OBC candidates)

Female Candidates: Minimum 150 cm

(Relaxation up to 145 cm for SC/ST/OBC candidates)

2. Chest Measurement

Male Candidates: Minimum 84 cm with at least 5 cm expansion

Female Candidates: Minimum 79 cm with at least 5 cm expansion

3. Vision Standards

Distant Vision:

• Better Eye: 6/6 or 6/9
• Worse Eye: 6/12 or 6/9

Near Vision:

• Better Eye: J1
• Worse Eye: J2

4. Other Physical & Medical Requirements

• No color blindness, night blindness, or squint
• Good hearing ability is mandatory
• Absence of flat feet, knocked knees, or varicose veins
• Weight should be proportionate to height (no fixed weight limit)

5. Medical Examination

• Conducted after clearing the UPSC Interview
• Includes tests for vision, hearing, blood pressure, heart health, and overall physical fitness

UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria for IFoS Officer

The UPSC Physical Eligibility Criteria for IFoS Officer is stringent due to the physically demanding nature of forest administration, wildlife protection, and extensive fieldwork in remote and challenging terrains. Candidates must meet prescribed standards of height, chest, vision, and overall medical fitness to ensure they can efficiently perform outdoor and conservation duties.

1. Height Requirements

Male Candidates: Minimum 163 cm

(Relaxed up to 152 cm for candidates from hilly areas and tribal regions)

Female Candidates: Minimum 150 cm

(Relaxed up to 145 cm for candidates from hilly areas and tribal regions)

2. Chest Measurement

Male Candidates: Minimum 84 cm with at least 5 cm expansion

Female Candidates: Minimum 79 cm with at least 5 cm expansion

3. Vision Standards

Distant Vision:

Better Eye: 6/6 or 6/9

Worse Eye: 6/12 or 6/9

Color blindness and night blindness are disqualifying conditions

4. Weight Requirement

No fixed weight criteria are prescribed

Weight must be proportionate to height and body structure

5. Other Medical & Physical Requirements

Good hearing ability

Overall physical fitness to endure long hours of outdoor and field-based work

Free from serious medical conditions that may hamper forest and wildlife duties

6. Medical Examination

Conducted after clearing UPSC Mains and Interview

Includes assessment of vision, hearing, chest expansion, general health, and endurance capability

UPSC Medical Test 2026

The UPSC Medical Test 2026 is conducted after a candidate clears the Mains examination and the Personality Test (Interview). It assesses the candidate’s overall physical and medical fitness for the service allotted. The test includes checks for vision, hearing, height, weight, chest expansion, and major health conditions. Failing to meet the prescribed medical standards can affect final service allocation.